Huge investment boost for Sparsholt College

TWO Hampshire colleges are set for a multi-million pound boost to encourage economic growth.

Sparsholt College near Winchester will receive £5.8million to refurbish engineering workshops, and to create new facilities for vocational learners.

Fareham College will get £9.8 million for a new centre of excellence for engineering and manufacturing technologies at the Solent enterprise zone in South Hampshire.

The investment is part of a £70.3 million investment for colleges across the south-east.

Sparsholt College principal Tim Jackson said last night: “We are delighted to receive this grant towards our investment programme in sports, motor vehicle and engineering facilities.“

These funds recognise and support our on-going commitment to providing inspiring and industry-relevant working spaces facilities for learners in Hampshire. We are looking forward to seeing the transformation of these spaces and the undoubted benefits they will bring to skills development and employability for learners, apprentices and employers.”

Kim Thorneywork, chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency, said: “Following a high demand of inspirational applications for the Enhanced Renewal Grant, it is great news that the Agency and BIS are able to announce the successful colleges who will receive government funding, through the Agency, to support their projects and enable them to be brought to life.”